On September 18, Rev. Nick Nicholas, our congregation's youth minister for the past 10 years, announced his plans to pursue other areas of ministry, including teaching at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Nick will continue to lead the Sunday morning Jr. High and Sr. High classes through mid December. In addition, he will continue to lead the Sunday afternoon Jr. High Youth Fellowship through early December, and the evening Sr. High Youth Fellowship through October, and work with the Interfaith experiences that include our church's youth.
So many in our congregation have been especially enriched and encouraged by Nick's ministry, adults as well as youth. There will be an opportunity to celebrate and thank Nick at receptions on December 11, following the morning worship services and also following the Chapel Choir's Christmas concert that evening.
More information will be sent soon about the receptions and a congregational love gift for Nick.
We are excited to begin our 3rd Annual Interfaith Youth Project!
This year's project will be different than what we've done in the past. We are looking for all interested 6th-12th graders to participate. We again are partnering with the youth from the Mohammed Webb Foundation. In the past, youth from the groups have worked together on service projects to raise money for charities. This was wonderful service and a great way to get to know each other.
This year, we tried to plan activities that would be informative, fun and allow the youth groups to spend time together without requiring any extra time or work outside of Sunday mornings. You may participate in as many weeks as you are able, so if you come 3, or 4, or all 5 times - great! The more you come, the more you will get to know the kids from Webb and the more they will get to know you. If you have participated in the Interfaith project in the past, you will see a lot of familiar faces! Parents are always welcome to come along!
All High School students with any interest in attending the 41st Annual Chapel Choir Tour to New York City MUST attend a mandatory informational meeting in the DGFUMC gym at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12. This is an alternate date to the Sunday, October 9th meeting.
This meeting is designed to inform both students and parents about the upcoming tour as well allow the Chapel Choir staff to get an idea of the numbers of students that will be involved. Due to the complexities of scheduling and planning a trip to New York City it is of the utmost importance that all students and or their parents attend this meeting and be prepared to make a commitment to regarding their involvement in the trip.
Preliminary details of the trip, including the itinerary and estimated cost (as well as the availability of financial assistance.)
Distribution of forms that require signatures of both youth and parents
Discussion of attendance and performance expectations for the year
Explanation of the role and expectations of parents Goal and expectations of the choir throughout the year and on tour
Time for questions
We are also asking for a $150 deposit (made payable to FUMC) at the meeting. This will help us get a clear understanding of how many will be part of the tour choir and allow us to purchase theater tickets and pay the deposits due for buses and room accommodations in New York City. The deadline for paying the full balance of the tour fee will be late February.
All High School students with any interest in attending the 41st Annual Chapel Choir Tour to New York City MUST attend a mandatory informational meeting in the DGFUMC gym at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 9. Food will be provided.
This meeting is designed to inform both students and parents about the upcoming tour as well allow the Chapel Choir staff to get an idea of the numbers of students that will be involved. Due to the complexities of scheduling and planning a trip to New York City it is of the utmost importance that all students and or their parents attend this meeting and be prepared to make a commitment to regarding their involvement in the trip.
Meeting Topics will include:
Preliminary details of the trip, including the itinerary and estimated cost (as well as the availability of financial assistance.)
Distribution of forms that require signatures of both youth and parents
Discussion of attendance and performance expectations for the year
Explanation of the role and expectations of parents
Goal and expectations of the choir throughout the year and on tour
Who: 6th grade — 12th grade, youth from DGFUMC, and ONE Friend each! What: DGFUMC Youth Ministry Lock-In Where: The Open Door Youth Center, DGFUMC When: September 9 at 7:00pm to Sept 10 at 7:00am Cost: $20 - this includes pizza, drinks, breakfast, etc. ($10 for 6th graders)
Other Details
Feel free to come after the football game.
Please bring a snack to share.
You can invite ONE friend.
Parents must pick up 6th graders by 11pm (and any other age youth if required).
There is a Day of Service on the morning of September 10. Stay if you can!
Would you like to become involved in a vital part of our church community? Want to get to know Junior High Kids (your own or other people’s)? Would you like to know what our Confirmation program is all about? Here’s how you can get involved with ourt ransitioning children: Teach! Teaching Confirmation has never been so easy, fun and meaningful all at the same time.
The confirmation program is a rotation model which means that, if you sign up to teach a lesson, you would only have to prepare once and then teach the same lesson for three weeks. Please contact Nick Nicholas if you would like to find out more information or to sign up to be a teacher. We have scheduled a teacher training session on September 8 at 7pm.
Onward Bound is the name of our Confirmation Program for students in 7th and 8th grades. We feel it is important for young people to work on developing their faith in such a way that it will become a solid resource for coping with the challenges of life, during the teenage years and, ultimately, for the rest of their lives. The goal of our Junior High Ministry is to build these resources and, in the process, make Disciples for Christ.
The Onward Bound classes will be held on Wednesday evenings this year, starting on September 21. Information packets have been mailed to all member families with students in 7th & 8th grades but, if you did not receive the packet, please let Sharon Harman know. Registration will be on Wednesday, September 14 starting at 6:30pm, followed by a parent's orientation at 7pm.
Who: DGFUMC Youth and one friend each!
On September 18, Rev. Nick Nicholas, our congregation's youth minister for the past 10 years, announced his plans to pursue other areas of ministry, including teaching at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
This is an opportunity for both the Youth of DGFUMC and the Kiwanis Club of Downers Grove to raise money for Youth activities.
Who: 6th grade — 12th grade, youth from DGFUMC, and ONE Friend each!
